Description

Medal awarded to William G Neill by John Street Public School, Bridgeton, Glasgow for excellence in Engineering Drawing and Mathematics for Session 1908-09.

On the obverse the medal depicts a workman holding a hammer in his right hand with factory behind. The workman has his left elbow resting on a shield bearing an image of the Forth Bridge. Above the shield is an olive branch. The words “THE ARROL MEDAL” are inscribed at top left.

On the reverse is the edge inscription “JOHN STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL, BRIDGETON, GLASGOW / CONTINUATION CLASSES. The centre is inscribed “AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING DRAWING AND MATHEMATICS”.

On the edge is the inscription “GAINED BY WILLIAM G NEILL. SESSION 1908-09”.

The medal has been converted into a brooch with a full width clasp and safety chain.

In the early 20th Century Continuation Classes provided further education opportunities especially for young people who left school at the minimum leaving age. The objective was to provide technical and scientific training for industry and commerce, and to develop citizenship. In the early 20th Century they were seen as vital for national industrial progress and for preventing “educational neglect” and “demoralising forms of employment” during adolescence.